Houston TV anchors: Where are they now?

Not all of Houston's on-air faces spend the rest of their lives on our television screens. Some have flown the coop. See what they've been up to since leaving us.

By Compiled by John-Henry Perera

Photo: Dave Rossman/For the Chronicle

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Houston TV anchors: Where are they now

Former Fox 26 anchor Chris Stipes, pictured here with his wife, ABC 13 anchor Elissa Rivas, announced he left the station in July 2016. He stayed mum about his upcoming plans, only saying he planned to grow a beard, work on his jump shot, and spend time with his family.

Keep clicking to see what has become of Houston's leading former on-air personalities. less

Houston TV anchors: Where are they now

Former Fox 26 anchor Chris Stipes, pictured here with his wife, ABC 13 anchor Elissa Rivas, announced he left the station in July 2016. He stayed mum about his upcoming ... more

Photo: John-Henry Perera

Houston TV anchors: Where are they now Former Fox 26 anchor... Photo-5250183.70380 - Houston Chronicle

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Mary Benton joined KPRC-TV in 1994 as a news reporter and fill-in weekend anchor. Previously, Benton reported out of Austin's KTBC-TV and Killeen's KCEN-TV. In July 2014, she announced she was leaving the station for a public relations role at the Harris County Toll Road Authority. She currently serves as a communications director for Harris County Precinct One. less

Mary Benton joined KPRC-TV in 1994 as a news reporter and fill-in weekend anchor. Previously, Benton reported out of Austin's KTBC-TV and Killeen's KCEN-TV. In July 2014, she announced she was leaving the ... more

Photo: KPRC

Mary Benton joined KPRC-TV in 1994 as a news reporter and fill-in... Photo-6549035.70380 - Houston Chronicle

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Karla Barguiarena joined ABC 13 Eyewitness News as a reporter in February 2014. Attentive Houston TV watchers may remember that she was a reporter for KHOU-TV several years ago and anchor for Telemundo's KTMD-TV. According to the station's website, she went into marketing and public relations for a few years before returning to the news business. A little more than a year after joining KTRK-TV, she left to join her husband in New Haven, Conn. She's now a freelance reporter for ABC News One. less

Karla Barguiarena joined ABC 13 Eyewitness News as a reporter in February 2014. Attentive Houston TV watchers may remember that she was a reporter for KHOU-TV several years ago and anchor for Telemundo's ... more

KPRC-TV weekend anchor and reporter Irika Sargent (right) left Houston in April 2014 and moved to Miami's WFOR-TV as a weekday evening anchor. In September 2015, she announced she was taking up a similar position at Chicago's WBBM-TV. less

Longtime KHOU-TV reporter and anchor Vicente Arenas left Houston after 11 years to join CBS News as a Miami-based correspondent in 2014. But after only a little more than a year with the network, he left in Sept. 15. less

Longtime KHOU-TV reporter and anchor Vicente Arenas left Houston after 11 years to join CBS News as a Miami-based correspondent in 2014. But after only a little more than a year with the network, he left in ... more

On May 6, 2015, Sharron Melton announced her exit
from KTRK-TV after 8 years on the job. She was previously the morning
anchor for the station before she was unceremoniously transferred to a
"field anchor" position.

On May 6, 2015, Sharron Melton announced her exit from KTRK-TV after 8 years on the job. She was previously the morning anchor for the station before she was unceremoniously transferred to a "field ... more

Sometime in early 2014, KTRK-TV dropped Adela Uchida from their station roster. She had been their weekend anchor since her arrival in 2008. Following that, Uchida joined the staff of radio station News 92 FM as a reporter until the station bit the dust in October of that year. Fans can now find her at Austin's KEYE-TV where she serves as an anchor/reporter.

Sometime in early 2014, KTRK-TV dropped Adela Uchida from their station roster. She had been their weekend anchor since her arrival in 2008. Following that, Uchida joined the staff of radio station News 92 FM ... more

After several years on KPRC-TV, weekend morning anchor Courtney Zavala (left) is calling it quits. The mother of two says she wants to spend more time with her family. The Chicago native joined the NBC affiliate in 2003, and was previously reporting out of Midland and Odessa, Texas. less

After several years on KPRC-TV, weekend morning anchor Courtney Zavala (left) is calling it quits. The mother of two says she wants to spend more time with her family. The Chicago native joined the NBC ... more

Photo: Dave Rossman, Freelance

After several years on KPRC-TV, weekend morning anchor Courtney... Photo-4390138.70380 - Houston Chronicle

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Katherine Whaley, shown at "Party in Pink" at the Hotel ZaZa in 2013, announced on her Facebook page that she is now at KTRK Channel 13. She left her post as the morning traffic anchor at KHOU Channel 11 at the end of the summer, saying that the offer of a new job at the station "was not the right fit for me."

Katherine Whaley, shown at "Party in Pink" at the Hotel ZaZa in 2013, announced on her Facebook page that she is now at KTRK Channel 13. She left her post as the morning traffic anchor at KHOU Channel 11 at

Former KPRC 2 weekend anchor Daniella Guzman spent five years at the Houston station before departing her hometown for NBC 5 WMAQ in Chicago in 2012. She didn't stay in the Windy City for long, though: Guzman was named the morning co-anchor at KNBC in Los Angeles in April 2014. less

Former KPRC 2 weekend anchor Daniella Guzman spent five years at the Houston station before departing her hometown for NBC 5 WMAQ in Chicago in 2012. She didn't stay in the Windy City for long, though: Guzman ... more

Ford Atkinson announced his retirement after a 22-year long... Photo-6053864.70380 - Houston Chronicle

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Steve Simon spent 13 years with KIAH/CW39, first as an anchor back when the station did traditional news. Later, Simon worked as the executive producer when CW switched to 'NewsFix,' an anchorless news format, in 2011. We continued to see Simon on air during his commentary segment called 'Simon Says.' Simon recently move to Dallas to help launch 'NewsFix' at the CW's sister station KDAF. less

Steve Simon spent 13 years with KIAH/CW39, first as an anchor back when the station did traditional news. Later, Simon worked as the executive producer when CW switched to 'NewsFix,' an anchorless news format, ... more

Steve Simon spent 13 years with KIAH/CW39, first as an anchor back... Photo-5781965.70380 - Houston Chronicle

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Houston's Fox 26's reporter and anchor Ned Hibberd left the station to become assistant news director at Fox-owned stations WJZY-WMYT in Charlotte, N.C.

Houston's Fox 26's reporter and anchor Ned Hibberd left the station to become assistant news director at Fox-owned stations WJZY-WMYT in Charlotte, N.C.

Mike Barajas had been with Fox 26 KRIV since 1986, first as a weekend anchor and then in the main 9 p.m. newscast in 1992. No straight answer was ever given why he left, but Barajas later reported the news on News 92 FM alongside Bonnie Petrie. less

Mike Barajas had been with Fox 26 KRIV since 1986, first as a weekend anchor and then in the main 9 p.m. newscast in 1992. No straight answer was ever given why he left, but Barajas later reported the news on ... more

Photo: Sharon Steinmann, Chronicle

Mike Barajas had been with Fox 26 KRIV since 1986, first as a... Photo-1457462.70380 - Houston Chronicle

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Jan Jeffcoat was the morning anchor at Fox 26 KRIV from 2004 to 2007. After leaving, she moved to Chicago's WFLD-TV, hosted a talk show in Phoenix, Ariz., and is now in Washington D.C. as a news anchor for WUSA 9.

Jan Jeffcoat was the morning anchor at Fox 26 KRIV from 2004 to 2007. After leaving, she moved to Chicago's WFLD-TV, hosted a talk show in Phoenix, Ariz., and is now in Washington D.C. as a news anchor for WUSA ... more

Houston sports anchor Steve Mark worked for KHOU, KRIV, and KPRC before heading over to the Houston Dynamo, where he was the Director of Public Relations. Mark is currently the Managing Editor at CW39's anchorless newscast, 'NewsFix.' less

Houston sports anchor Steve Mark worked for KHOU, KRIV, and KPRC before heading over to the Houston Dynamo, where he was the Director of Public Relations. Mark is currently the Managing Editor at CW39's ... more

Fox 26 KRIV morning anchor Natalie Bomke came to the station in 2010. She left in 2013 to join Chicago's WFLD-TV as a morning weekday anchor. Last check, she had been transferred to the weekend morning desk amid a recent staff shakeup. less

Fox 26 KRIV morning anchor Natalie Bomke came to the station in 2010. She left in 2013 to join Chicago's WFLD-TV as a morning weekday anchor. Last check, she had been transferred to the weekend morning desk ... more

Lucy Noland was co-anchor of KHOU 11's 5 and 10 p.m. newscasts from 2007 to 2011. She left Houston to work at KNBC in Los Angeles. After about two years at that station, she left to spend more time with her family. less

Lucy Noland was co-anchor of KHOU 11's 5 and 10 p.m. newscasts from 2007 to 2011. She left Houston to work at KNBC in Los Angeles. After about two years at that station, she left to spend more time with her ... more

Giff Nielsen was the sports director for KHOU, but more importantly, he was an NFL quarterback for the Houston Oilers. After 35 years in Houston, Nielsen left for Utah to serve as the general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. less

Giff Nielsen was the sports director for KHOU, but more importantly, he was an NFL quarterback for the Houston Oilers. After 35 years in Houston, Nielsen left for Utah to serve as the general authority of the ... more

Wendy Corona's departure from KPRC 2 was anything but amicable. The former anchor filed a lawsuit against the station, citing breach of contract and defamation. After a freelance stint at WFAA, she is now an anchor/reporter at WSB TV in Atlanta, Georgia. less

Wendy Corona's departure from KPRC 2 was anything but amicable. The former anchor filed a lawsuit against the station, citing breach of contract and defamation. After a freelance stint at WFAA, she is now an ... more

Jerome Gray was hired at KPRC 2 in 2005 as a senior news editor and anchor. Management decided not to renew his contract in 2011, but it wasn't long before Houston METRO took him in as their new spokesman.

Jerome Gray was hired at KPRC 2 in 2005 as a senior news editor and anchor. Management decided not to renew his contract in 2011, but it wasn't long before Houston METRO took him in as their new spokesman.

Linda Lorelle (right) joined KPRC 2 in 1989 as a
weekend anchor. She was then promoted to the weekday evening anchor
position. After 16 years, Lorelle resigned her post after she was
demoted to the afternoon newscast, a decision that was not met favorably
amongst community leaders. She did some freelance work for Fox 26 KRIV
before going on to do real estate and work on the "Linda Lorelle
Scholarship Fund." She also works on Houston PBS' "Red, White and Blue." less

Linda Lorelle (right) joined KPRC 2 in 1989 as a weekend anchor. She was then promoted to the weekday evening anchor position. After 16 years, Lorelle resigned her post after she was demoted to the ... more

Shara Fryer works as a morning radio news anchor for KTRH 740-AM, at the radio studio. Previously, she was a reporter, then anchor at ABC 13 KTRK from 1980 to 2006.

Shara Fryer works as a morning radio news anchor for KTRH 740-AM, at the radio studio. Previously, she was a reporter, then anchor at ABC 13 KTRK from 1980 to 2006.

Photo: Michael Paulsen

Shara Fryer works as a morning radio news anchor for KTRH 740-AM,... Photo-3518495.70380 - Houston Chronicle

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Pattie Shieh joined Fox 26 KRIV in 1989 as chief videotape editor. Six
years later, she graduated to a reporter and morning anchor position.
When the station elected to not renew her contract, she moved on to
radio station News 92 FM as a reporter. Since June 2013, she is the
regional public relations manager at Lyondell-Basell. less

Pattie Shieh joined Fox 26 KRIV in 1989 as chief videotape editor. Six
years later, she graduated to a reporter and morning anchor position.
When the station elected to not renew her contract, she moved ... more